Quality of life in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia.

OBJECTIVES

The primary aim of this study was to analyse quality of life in adult patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), a genetic disorder with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Secondary aims were to find explanatory factors for quality of life and anxiety.

DESIGN

A descriptive cross-sectional design was used.

SETTING

Outpatients from lipid clinics at two university hospitals in Sweden were included. Patients with heterozygous FH and a randomly selected control group participated by filling out questionnaires.

SUBJECTS

Two hundred and eighty patients with heterozygous FH above 18 years of age were asked, and 212 of whom 185 were free of overt CHD, participated. Of a control group of 2980 persons 1485 were included for comparison.

METHODS

We used Likert-type questionnaires: the Quality of Life Index (QLI) consisting of four subscales, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), the Mastery Scale measuring coping and a questionnaire on health and lipids constructed for FH patients.

RESULTS

Patients with FH were significantly more satisfied with overall quality of life 21.8 +/- 0.3 (SEM) vs. controls 21.1 +/- 0.1 and this was also the case in three of four subscales, all differences P < 0.05. Anxiety about getting CHD was expressed amongst 86% of the patients with FH.

CONCLUSIONS

Quality of life amongst patients with FH was at least as good as in controls but they were worried about getting CHD.